“All I can do is sort of control what I can do and continue to prepare and find ways to get better”
Alex Carey is not easily shaken. However, 2023 has put his gentle disposition to the test more than any other year.
The Indian Test Tour was a roller coaster of highs and lows. During an Australian-Indian Test tour, he turned forth one of the best wicketkeeping performances in history. However, Ravindra Jadeja and company had him completely confused with the bat, which partly obscured his glovework.
With a brilliant display with bat and gloves in the World Test Championship final, the ensuing England tour got off to an incredible start. Additionally, he had a fantastic game at Edgbaston to help Australia win the Ashes 1-0.
That episode, however, seemed to alter the trajectory of his year.
He was fired after one game in the ODI World Cup, despite being the cornerstone of Australia’s ODI team for four years and captaining them in three of those matches in 2021. The firing was just one more item to take in after a challenging year.
Remarkably, Carey admitted on Monday. “I’m obviously quite unhappy that I didn’t make the cut. However, I suppose that after receiving the news, people tried to digest it, draw conclusions from it, and then return to their job in the nets.”
Having a summer off and going home has given me the opportunity to start over. Although there was some external noise over his Test place, coach Andrew McDonald has confirmed that, despite being left off of the ODI team, he is Australia’s top Test wicketkeeper and he was never in danger.
On Sunday, McDonald declared, “He’s our number one choice in Test cricket.” “Our view on that hasn’t changed for a period of time and don’t see it changing in the immediate future.”
He plays distinct roles in each of the two configurations, and they are not combined. The decision to bench him in the ODIs had less to do with Carey’s performance and more to do with the makeup of Australia’s World Cup-winning starting seven. A middle order that ultimately included two anchor-type players in Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne was more suited for Josh Inglis’ dynamism and versatility.
With the assistance of Australia’s batting coach Michael Di Venuto and former Zimbabwe wicketkeeper hitter Andy Flower, Carey claimed that being cut in India gave him the opportunity to reassess his objectives and improve his game.
“The silver lining is I had a mini pre-season over there as well,” Carey explained. “I was always prepared to play, but I was also able to, I suppose, analyze my own performance and collaborate with some fresh players and various thought processes. It was also nice to see Andy Flower there.
He’s such a great guy now. It was also a pleasure working with Michael Di Venuto. Alternative perspectives on the game. specific areas for scoring.
“It was nice just to get different opinions and talk to different people.”
Upon returning to Sheffield Shield cricket last week, Carey was able to put his hard work into a well-compiled 81. Having failed in the first inning, he was happy that he could adjust in the middle of the game.
“It was nice to get back out in the middle and play and compete,” Carey commented.
From the first to the second innings, I think I made a slight adjustment to my thinking simply to start playing again. Having a game outside after spending two or three months under the nets felt nice. In the middle, it differs slightly.”
During Australia’s first training session since reuniting as a Test team on Sunday, Carey appeared to be in fine form at WACA Ground. Seeking to hit as straight as possible on Perth’s bounce-filled surfaces, he practiced one-on-one with Di Venuto in the nets.
With Lance Morris in a center-wicket net, he handled a really fast spell and appeared as at ease as anyone facing the quick pace.
Carey’s batting performances in the Border-Gavaskar series and his declining form in England were concerning, but it’s important to keep in mind that he scored a century in his final Test innings in Australia in Melbourne against South Africa.
According to Carey, his confidence has not faltered.
“My self-belief has always been really strong,” stated Carey. “All I can do is keep getting ready, discover methods to improve, and kind of manage what I can do. It excites me to go outside and play.”
